Transformed

Romans 12:2

(NLT)

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

The above verse is an invitation to all of us to transform. It also suggests that in order for a transformation to occur, our minds must be transformed first.

We all need it

Do you remember the story of Cinderella? If you don’t you probably remember another fairytale with similar features. No matter who we are or where we come from, as human beings we love stories of transformation. We all love stories that involve the poor and unfortunate, because they always end in a positive way. Those stories portray our own stories of failures, success, and our own dreams as well. God also loves stories that involve transformation, and as the Bible verse above explains, God wants us to go through a transformation on a daily basis. What kind of transformation is it? Romans 12:2 shines some light on our need to change the way we think.

Many think that being able to transform oneself is impossible, and in a way I agree that we can’t do it alone, but we can do it with the help of God. Why can’t people’s lives be transformed by God? Is transformation something that God forces upon us? Are we fully responsible for the transformation that we need? The reality is that many people don’t allow God to process their lives in order for transformation to take place. Below are a list of reasons I find to be the main blockers of godly transformation.

How a flower grows

Blockers of Transformation

1- You insist on doing your will and not God’s

Romans 12:2 begins by pointing out that we should not copy the behaviors of those who do not serve the Lord, in other words when we begin to copy those behaviors, we also begin to make life-changing choices that are reflected in those behaviors. In order for a genuine transformation to occur in a person’s life, he or she must surrender to God’s will. This is one of the most difficult things for people to do. As part of our human nature, we desire to do that which feels good and we like to do the things that will give us the result we want. God’s will means that sometimes we will be uncomfortable, but faith gives us the certainty that it will all b alright. This is why our minds must be transformed as well, because a change of mind will allow us to see God’s will for what it truly is.

2- The thought that someone else should be responsible

Believing that in order for a change to occur in your life you need other people to help you, will probably be a reason for you to stay stuck right where you are. It is a reality that the church exist to equip you, but many times people receive the word and prayers from their church community but go home to their old habits. Also allowing others to pray for you is a great help especially when you are going through trials, but depending constantly on someone else to pray for you and you failing to do it on your own will not lead you anywhere. You need to take charge of your own change and you need to begin living the word of God in order for it to transform you.

3- You have a confused identity or an “identity crisis”

The word of God says that our old being has been crucified along with Crist, in other words we have been fully forgiven though the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. We have also been reconciled with the Father through Jesus, but many people don’t grasp this. There may be many reasons why people can’t fully accept God’s forgiveness, one may be that they don’t know who they are. A lot of times people go through an identity crisis, where they don’t know who they are or who they will become. Many think that the way they see themselves is the way God sees them, and they are wrong. God sees us as more than we could ever see ourselves. God created us and knows us better than we could ever know ourselves. Rejecting negative thoughts about yourself will help you accept that you need a transformation.

4- Many don’t want to go through the process of transformation

Transformation requires a process that is not always pleasant. We come to the Lord with our old habits, our own ways of seing the world, and our own goals, but in the process of transformation you give all of that up to allow God to put his plans for your life first. This is probably the most painful part of transformation; learning that your way is not the best way and that God’s plans will be better. Giving up everything you know about life, giving up your selfishness, sometimes even loosing people that you love will be a part of this transformation process. When people get to this point, it either brakes them or makes them. Many will run for the nearest exit, others will endure the pain and allow God to begin molding their life. The process varies by person, so everyone will not begin or end their process the same way. I believe transformation is a lifelong deal, that the more we grow, the more aware we become of the need to transform our minds and other areas of our lives. Through this process you must learn to submit your mind to Jesus.

What do you think?

What do you think are the reasons why people can't be transformed?

The work of a potter

Things to remember while in your process

Jeremiah 18:4-10 (NLT)

4 But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. 5 Then the Lord gave me this message: 6 “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.

Remember that the potter is willing brake you apart to be able to start over, not because his desire is to brake you but because his desire is to mold you in his image.

Remember that the potter works the vessel because he is able to see its purpose before it is completed. We can’t see where we will be after a process, but God knows. That is why although painful he may allow it.

Remember that you are a masterpiece…

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.